Improvement in baskets



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

G. Z. VAN HIPER AND VV. A. VAN RIPER, OF LA GRANGE, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT IN BASKETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 52,9I4, dated February 27, 1866. i

vaccompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a vertical central section of a basket, showing our invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

Our invention consists in the employment of metallic hoops or bands passing from the top hoop on one side down under the bottom of the basket, and up on the other side, both ends of each hoop being secured to the top hoop on opposite sides of the basket.

A is a basket, which is illustrated to show the application of our invention, a a being its top hoop. B`B are metallic bands or strips of metal, which we employ for the purpose of strengthening the basket, and they are applied in the present instance by pressing each strip at about its center c, the proper length having been given to the strip on the bottom of the basket, so that it will bulge into the cavity usually made at the bottom of the basket. sides of the basket, and, if desired, thrust through the loops of wood, willow, or other material of which the basket is made, and the ends turned over the top hoop of the basket, as shown at b b in both figures, and so secured by rivets, if found necessary.

We have shown two of these hoops applied to the basket at right angles to each other,

Each end is then carried up the`| but we do not limit ourselves to then'umber to be used. At the point of crossing the strips B B are, in the present instance, bolted together, so as to insure their keeping their proper place upon the basket.

The advantages gained by our invention are great. It is well known that in most baskets-the top hoop is nailed at certain points to the body of the basket, and this hoop always has a tendency to get loose and come off by reason of the weights constantly carried in the basket, as well as from exposure to the weather. Our invention remedies this, as it not only effectually prevents the top hoop from coming off, but also supports the bottom of the basket, and it will be found of great service and usefulness on baskets used for agricultural purposes-corn and potato baskets, for instance, which are required to hold one and a half bushels each, and this weight is too great to be supported by the small nails which secure the top hoop to which the handles are secured. Therefore, our invention recommends itself for practical utility.

We do not limit ourselves to the precise manner shown of applying the metallic hoops `so long as our object is accomplished, nor to e. Z. vAN EIPER.

w. A. vAN EIPEE.

Witnesses:

JACOB J. VAN HIPER, HENRY M. FARNAM. 

